Architectural Analysis of Deep-Water Outcrops: Implications for Exploration and Development of the Diana Sub-Basin, Western Gulf of Mexico

3d seismic attribute expressions of deep offshore Niger delta

“…This environment is typically non to very weakly-erosional and is characterized by unconfined flow on very low gradient slopes and basin floors, as described by Sullivan et al (2000) and Beaubouef et al (2003). Sprague et al (2005) stated that these flows are sediment laden and strongly depositional, occurring as sandy high-concentration turbidites, with sub-ordinate muddy, low-concentration turbidites.…”

The Stratigraphic Record of Submarine-Channel Evolution

“…Turbidites are deposited by turbidity currents, in which sand and mud are suspended by the upward component of fluid turbulence; debrites are deposited by debris flows, in which large grains and gravel are supported by a cohesive matrix of interstitial fluid and mud with finite yield strength (Middleton and Hampton, 1973). Channel deposits commonly exhibit the following facies that represent a spectrum of submarine mass-movement processes (Mutti and Normark, 1987;Clark and Pickering, 1996;Campion et al, 2000;Sullivan et al, 2000;Barton et al, 2010;Hubbard et al, 2009Hubbard et al, , 2014 (Fig. 1): 1) thick-bedded, amalgamated sandstone and/or sand-matrix conglomerate deposited from the collapse of high-density turbidity currents (suspended load) and through tractional reworking of sediment (bed load);…”

“…Hubbard et al (2014) documented a primary channel surface (250-300 m wide; <24 m of relief), which is sometimes characterized by a notched, or stepped, cross-sectional profile. This surface defines a channel fill, or channel architectural element (e.g., Sullivan et al, 2000;Mayall et al, 2006;McHargue et al, 2011) (Figs. 1 and 2).…”

Seismic Geomorphology and Geometric Evolution of a Single Base-of-Slope Deepwater Channel in the near Seafloor of Alaminos Canyon, Northwestern Deep Gulf of Mexico

“…The importance for both energy exploration and academia has inspired a lot of researches that employ different but equally important approaches e.g. characterization at exploration depth, outcrop investigation, numerical modeling, near seafloor studies (Sullivan et al, 2000;Wynn et al, 2007;Pyles et al, 2010;Yu et al, 2010). Nearly 50 years ago, deepwater turbidites were properly described by Arnold Bouma (1962), who recognized particular fining-up deepwater deposits by investigating outcrop.…”